Assisted dying: MPs adopt end-of-life law

The national representation finally reached an agreement after weeks of debate, sometimes heated, often calm. On Tuesday, May 27, the deputies voted 305 to 199 for the proposal creating a right to assisted dying. The first proposal on palliative care was adopted unanimously (560 in favor).

The main points of the text on assisted dying establish five “cumulative conditions” : be of legal age, of French nationality (or resident in France on a stable basis), suffering from a “serious and incurable condition whatever the cause” in an “advanced or terminal phase” , suffering from “constant physical or psychological suffering” and being able to express one’s wishes freely and in an informed manner.

The patient will have to self-administer the lethal product and administration by a third party will only be authorized if the person is "physically incapable of doing so" . The request for assistance in dying must also be made in writing or "by any other means of expression adapted to their abilities" to a doctor without a personal connection to the patient. The doctor must provide information on the patient's state of health, palliative care alternatives and offer psychological support.

Before making any final decision, a doctor must convene a collegiate meeting that will bring together at least one specialist in the relevant pathology and a medical assistant involved in the patient's treatment. This decision must be made in writing and orally, within fifteen days of the consultation. The patient will then have a mandatory two-day reflection period to confirm their wish to die.

Every doctor will be free to refuse to perform assisted dying, according to the "conscience clause." Finally, the deputies decided to increase the penalty for the offense of obstructing assisted dying to two years' imprisonment and a fine of €30,000. This text has taken an important step forward, but must now be examined by the Senate.